Board approves water treatment protocols amid discoloration incident communication concerns.
Blackstone Selectmen address December water discoloration amid resident complaints. Engineer Sam Kenney reported the new treatment plant successfully removes iron and manganese using pressure filtration, with continuous real-time monitoring. Two residents, Doreen Stockman and Tanya Polak, testified
Board of Selectmen · Meeting of January 6, 2026
Blackstone Selectmen address December water discoloration amid resident complaints. Engineer Sam Kenney reported the new treatment plant successfully removes iron and manganese using pressure filtration, with continuous real-time monitoring. Two residents, Doreen Stockman and Tanya Polak, testified about inadequate notification after a December 10 valve failure caused brown water throughout town sections and reported plumbing damage and appliance failures.
Town Administrator Chad Lovett acknowledged notification gaps and outlined improvements including website alerts, Notify Me opt-in system (76 subscribers), and promotional campaigns at town meetings and elections. Chairman Keefe requested a plan for potential bill abatements for residents affected by excessive flushing and announced plans to film an educational walkthrough of the treatment plant to improve public understanding of aging infrastructure challenges.
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Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of January 6, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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